IPNEWS: A two-day Mano River Union (MRU) High-Level Ministerial Meeting  comprising Ministers and high-ranking officials from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire have ended in Monrovia.

The summit, which commenced on Sunday, July 21 to the 22, at the E.J.S. Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, marks a significant step towards enhancing regional cooperation and addressing pressing challenges within the region.

Organized in partnership with Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the theme “Strengthening the MRU for a More Coordinated, Regional Response to Emerging Security and Development Challenges,” brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Defense, and other key stakeholders and is dedicated to tackling critical issues facing the Mano River Union (MRU) Countries.

The primary objectives of the meeting is to foster greater regional collaboration, strengthen economic ties, and tackle critical issues that impact the sub-region’s stability and growth.

Ambassador Simeon Moriba, Secretary General of the MRU, opened the meeting with a detailed overview of its purpose. He highlighted the importance of the discussions in setting clear directions for the MRU Secretariat and aligning these with the goals of member states.

“This meeting follows a pattern where sectoral discussions lead to recommendations for ministers, who then present them to heads of state and government,” Moriba explained.

He emphasized that the summit serves as a crucial platform for addressing and proposing solutions to several key issues. One of the central topics on the agenda is the need for robust conflict resolution mechanisms.

Ambassador Moriba acknowledged the long-lasting impacts of past conflicts in the sub-region and stressed the necessity of developing comprehensive strategies to address and overcome these challenges.

The ongoing effects of regional conflicts have left significant socio-economic scars, and effective conflict resolution is critical for ensuring sustained peace and stability.

Another major focus is the proposed implementation of ECOWAS Biometric ID cards. This initiative aims to streamline identification processes across member states and enhance regional security.

Moriba underscored the importance of understanding the nature of this biometric system and making well-informed recommendations.

The successful implementation of ECOWAS Biometric IDs could facilitate smoother movement and transactions within the region, thus fostering greater economic integration and security.

The introduction of the ECO currency is also a pivotal subject of discussion. The ECO currency has been a topic of debate for years, and the meeting aims to address the complexities associated with the current multiple-currency system in the MRU region.

With Liberia using the dollar, Côte d’Ivoire the CFA Franc XOF, Sierra Leone the Leone, and Guinea the Franc, cross-border transactions can be cumbersome and costly.

The ECO currency, if adopted, could simplify these transactions and support regional economic growth. Moriba emphasized the essential nature of this initiative and its potential to significantly enhance economic stability and integration within the region.

Besides these core topics, the meeting will explore ways to improve health and education systems, promote environmental sustainability, and address climate change challenges.

Enhancing gender equality and social inclusion will also be key areas of focus. These discussions are expected to lead to actionable recommendations that will help shape the strategic direction of the MRU in the coming year.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for member states to review progress on previously agreed-upon initiatives and to set new strategic goals. The collaborative effort aims to ensure that the MRU’s actions align with the evolving needs and aspirations of its member states.

Established in 1973, the Mano River Union is dedicated to fostering economic cooperation, regional integration, and sustainable development among its member states.

The MRU’s mission is to enhance peace, security, and economic growth in the West African sub-region, and this high-level meeting represents a critical step in advancing these objectives.

Speaking at the opening, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called for rigorous efforts of all Mano River Union states to consolidate unity among members of the Mano River basin.

At a high-level meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Defense, and stakeholders of the Mano River region since 2017.

This, he said, has led to poor visibility and attention by the MRU Secretariat.

“Since 2017, no meeting has been held, and even ministerial meetings were hardly held. This led to poor visibility and attention by the MRU Secretariat,” President Boakai stressed.

Nevertheless, the shortcoming, he noted that the secretariat analyzed about holding a meeting in December 2023, aimed at reawakening the spirit of the MRU, but said the meeting was never held.

However, President Boakai noted that the constant engagement of the Secretariat by developing partners demonstrates the value and potential they see in the union’s existence.

Therefore, President Boakai emphasized the need for member states to demonstrate more commitment to the union.

At the meeting tagged, “Strengthening the MRU for a more coordinated regional response to emerging security and development challenges,” President Boakai noted that the dialogue serves as a platform for renewed growth and success of the MRU.

“We know our development challenges and the growing political and economic issues being faced. I’m therefore appealing to all of you, including our development partners, to be open and foresighted, during this celebration. Your kind suggestions will help us chart a new development course to fulfill our objectives through our Secretariat,” President Boakai added.

He encouraged member states of the MRU to uphold the commitment of the summit of heads of state and government of the MRU held in May 2008, which resolved that the MRU Secretariat be revived to pursue the mandate of the MRU.

The member states in that meeting also resolved to focus on restoring the Secretariat and ensuring peace and security.

At that meeting, two strategic plans were formulated, with a focus area serving as a pillar. Activities were undertaken, with partners to support development and restore the operational capacity of the secretariat.

This development focused on the provision of money and utilizing natural resources of the sub-region, as well as undertaking initiatives in support of agriculture productivity, facilitating trade and free movement along the border, supporting women, and improving health facilities in the border areas.